Claytonia ambigua S. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 17: 365. 1882; Calandrinia ambigua (S. Watson) Howell

Plants annual, roots fleshy. Stems spreading to erect, 3-18 cm. Leaves cauline, not forming basal rosette; blade linear to spatulate, ± terete, 1.5-6 cm, not glaucous. Inflorescences paniculate with umbel-like clusters, dense, usually not exceeding leaves. Flowers pedicellate; sepals ovate, slightly unequal, 2-5 mm, herbaceous, margins white-scarious; petals disarticulate in fruit, 3-5, white, 2-5 mm; stamens 5-10, anther yellow; style present; stigmas 3; pedicel 1-3 mm. Capsules ovoid, 1-4 mm; valves 3. Seeds 6-15, black, ovoid, 1-2 mm, smooth, shiny, reticulate at 30×, not white-hairy.

Flowering Nov-Feb. Sandy washes and slopes, desert shrub communities; 0-500 m; Ariz., Calif.; Mexico.